13 Best Rollerblades for Beginners

There are many amazing things from the 1990s that are making a comeback, and rollerblading is one of them. Also known as inline skates, rollerblades at roller-rink birthday parties were extremely popular back then. After all, nothing beat the feeling of joyfully gliding around on a smooth and well-designed pair of rollerblades. Since we’re taking up rollerblading as grown-ups today, we found tons of modern options for the best beginner rollerblades for adults. What’s more, we found different choices for all kinds of weather, road conditions, and even experience levels, especially since we’re just starting out.

When it came to investing in the best pair of skates for the likes of us, we looked for many factors that would make our experience smooth. For one, we looked at products with wheels designed to navigate at comfortable speeds across many terrains. Also, we also checked out options with supportive boots for maximum stability as we zipped around the landscape. As is with any sport, we beginners also needed to pay attention to other safety aspects, such as wearing the best helmets for rollerblading.

In addition to that, it’s best if beginners like us first explore the route that we plan to skate, which allowed us to get a sense of the terrain. In fact, it’s recommended that new skaters avoid even moderate downhill routes and instead go for smooth, flat pavements. When we tried doing so, we suddenly picked up speed. If one finds it difficult to hit the brake. They could take a nasty fall on uneven or rough pavement. Since the market is inundated with choices today, we’ve come up with the best products in the business, along with a handy guide as to how to go about buying them.

LIKU Black Professional Inline Skates

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Best overall. Since we were just beginning rollerblading, we loved the simplicity of the LIKU Black Professional Inline Skates. Not only were they comfortable, but they were also durable, easy to clean, and an overall excellent pick for us first-time rollerbladers. These skates boasted a durable and thick shell that stabilized and protected our feet, making it easier for us to balance on them. Moreover, the shell stayed firmly in place, hugging our feet thanks to a series of high-density laces and buckled straps. What’s more, the wheels were equipped with shock-absorbing aluminum alloy bearings, which kept us comfy even on bumpy, textured terrain.

Since thick shells could be slightly uncomfortable, these LIKU skates also came with ventilation holes on the inside. They kept the airflow up and our feet comfortable and cool. Once we were done skating, we could take them off and even remove the padded inner cotton liners, which were easy to slip in and out. Thus, they also kept our skates clean and odor-free.

Rollerblade Women’s Zetrablade Inline Skates

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A combination of ease of use, durability, and comfort made the Rollerblade’s Zetrablade Women’s Inline Skates perfect for recreational skating for us. For first-time skaters like us, these blades, with their low center of gravity, made maintaining our balance extremely easy and also made skating fun. Designed with a durable frame, the rollerblades stabilized our feet and ankles as we strode ahead. On the inside, there was a plush and thick performance liner that helped ensure a snug and comfy fit every time we strapped on our blades.

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What’s more, it also cushioned our feet, allowing us to comfortably rollerblade across longer routes as well. At the base of each blade, we also found four performance wheels put in for both beginner and intermediate skaters, ensuring a controllable and smooth ride as we built our skating skillset. Rounding up the features are the SG5 bearings designed specifically for beginners.

Epic Engage 3-Wheel Inline Skates

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Best 3-wheel rollerblades. The Epic Engage 3-Wheel Inline Skates is the best rollerblade for beginners adults that we came across. Boasting extra-wide 125mm wide wheels, these three-wheel skates also featured ABEC 7 and 86A durometer bearings. Thus, they provided a speedy yet smooth ride on most surfaces, both outdoors as well as indoors. As for support and comfort, we had a soft and padded liner as well as a hard-shell upper. Moreover, the frame was both durable and strong since it was crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum! Finally, the skates had two buckles and laces that ensured that we got a secure and comfortable fit, while the tab at the ankle’s back made it easy for us to put these skates on and take them off. They might cost around 200 USD, but they’re worth it.

LIKU Fitness Inline Skates

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Yet another pair of outdoor rollerblades for adults from Liku feature on this list; this time, it’s the LIKU Fitness Inline Skates. The highlight of these skates is the unique wheel structure, which is designed to help us perform fancy tricks and moves. Since we’re fairly good beginners and wanted to move to some nifty action on the wheels, these skates were our best friends. Featuring 90A hardness high-elastic polyurethane wheels with ABEC bearings, the skates were not only speedy but also offered a high degree of maneuverability on the trickiest of surfaces. Furthermore, the lightweight integrated shell was also shock-absorbing, so our ankles and knees were protected. If that wasn’t enough, the padded and soft liner was washable, removable, breathable, and provide maximum comfort. Finally, we had a triple closure system with two buckles and laces for a snug, secure, and comfy fit.

Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT

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When it comes to the best beginners’ rollerblades, the Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT checked all the necessary boxes. These included everything from a sleek design and comfort to control and support. Featured in a gorgeous fiery red color, the skates came with a composite durable frame that provided both excellent response and control. What’s more, the 80mm wide wheels boasted an impressive 78A durometer and ABEC 7 bearings for a smooth yet speedy ride on all sorts of terrains. Providing maximum levels of comfort and support were the padded liner, the upper buckle, the lace closure, as well as the velcro power strap closure. Wrapping up the features is the fact that the skates came in multiple sizes, making it one of the most comfortable skates since we were new to the world of rollerblading.

Check out what the Last Honest Influencer has to say about these skates in this detailed YouTube review video.

ITurnGlow Adjustable Inline Skates

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Best inline skates. What’s a rollerblade without some zing and bling? Behold the snazzy ITurnGlow Adjustable Inline Skates, which were the perfect pair of inline skates for our adult kids who were just starting off with rollerblading. Available for kids as well as adolescents, youth, and adults, these skates were adjustable for size. However, the absolute best part about these skates was that the wheels lit up in a kaleidoscope of colors as we all skated across! The lights were powered by the action of the wheels rolling, which meant that we never had to be worried about needing replacement batteries – ever! The 64-mm wheels were small-sized, which, when combined with 82A hardness, offered a grip and speed both. Hence, there were fewer chances of the user falling down. Finally, the hybrid boot was secure and comfy and provided a nice, plush base as we discovered newer grounds to skate.

Rollerblade RB Cruiser Fitness Inline Skate

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The Rollerblade RB Cruiser Unisex Adult Fitness Inline Skate is the best rollerblade for beginner adults like us who wanted to practice our skills as well as commute. One of the topmost picks for picking up tricks in the skatepark, these unisex rollerblades came with a plush padded performance liner. It acted as the perfect shock absorber for dampening the vibrations. Moreover, the skates also boasted 80 mm wheels with 80A hardness, thus splitting the difference between durability and grip with ease. That, combined with the low center of gravity, ensured stability. If that wasn’t enough, the molded hybrid boot provided great support while offering skating versatility at the same time. So, we could learn some awesome tricks with these on our feet. Finally, they came in multiple sizes and colors, with black being the dominant hue and other colors for the laces and design.

Matt Goulet had an interesting insight into rollerblading and these blades, in particular – check out the detailed NYMag review.

Bladerunner by Rollerblade Advantage Pro XT Fitness Inline Skate

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Available in multiple sizes for women, the Bladerunner by Rollerblade Advantage Pro XT Women’s Fitness Inline Skate lived up to its name. If indoor skating is what you’re interested in, then this blade does an excellent job of providing control, stability, and comfort. Thanks to the 78A wheel hardness, the skates offered us a great grip on even the smoothest rink surfaces. At the same time, we could speed with the 80 mm wheels. Moreover, the well-placed padding made the hybrid shell comfortable, while the low center of gravity was great for keeping us upright and stable on our wheels.

That, combined with an easy closure system of strap, lace, and buckles, provided a snug fit. Besides being true to size, what we liked about these skates was that the black and pink colors glow in the black lights at the skating rink! You can check out more details on the official product page.

K2 Raider Pro Size Adjustable Inline Skates

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The K2 Raider Pro Size Adjustable Inline Skates is perhaps the best rollerblade for kiddos. Since it allowed for tons of size adjustability, it saved us a ton of money. Firstly, the skates boast a lightweight yet stiff Stability Plus Cuff that offered a ton of support to our kiddos’ weak and young ankles. Thanks to the flexible base, the skate delivered smoother rides by dampening road vibrations, along with decently speedy 80A wheels with ABEC 3 bearings and a good braking system. If your kid is over 11 years, then go for the 70 mm wheels one. On the other hand, if they’re between 1 and 5 years, then go for the 72 mm ones. Besides the fact that they came in kid-friendly bright orange/blue color combinations, the skates also had a traditional lace-up system, speed lacing, power straps, and five size adjustments.

K2 Skate Charm Boa Alu Inline Skates

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K2 is a well-known brand when it comes to designing comfortable and good-looking skates, and the K2 Skate Charm Boa Alu Inline Skates were no different. Available in different colors paired with black, these rollerblades boasted a comfy and plush liner with an equally comfy cuff and a tough and robust shell. Designed from premium-quality aluminum, the boot’s frame eliminated vibration as we zipped down the street while also reducing fatigue. Measuring 76 mm in diameter, the smaller wheels increased stability by lowering our center of gravity and staying closer to the ground. The 80A wheels with ABEC 5 rolled great and were soft and maneuverable. Wrapping up the features is a power strap that kept the heel snugly locked in, paired with a BOA dial fit system and a buckle.

“We loved these snug skates that looked good, had optimum speed, and came with a plush and comfy liner too.”

WOW Travel

5th Element Panther XT Mens Recreational Inline Skates

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Best value for money. Running true to size is the 5th Element Panther XT Mens Recreational Inline Skates, one of the best beginner rollerblades for adults we found. These budget inline skates featured a low-profile metal frame and a soft boot that are long-lasting. Designed for lightweight rollerblades, these fitness blades also had a decent cuff height and a comfortable and breathable liner. The skates came with 82 mm 82A wheels with ABEC 7 bearings, making for really smooth rolling down the street. In fact, the wheels even had decent speeds, more than some of the skates on this list. Besides coming in half sizes, these skates had traditional laces combined with a hook-and-loop power strap and a plastic buckle.

Rollerblade Twister Edge

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These might cost just less than 400 USD, but the Rollerblade Twister Edge is the best rollerblade for adults who’re ready to make the transition from beginner to intermediate. In fact, these skates arrived sans the heel brake that’s usually included in beginner pairs. These bestselling rollerblades possessed a slightly slimmer shell and came in both three-wheel 110 mm wheels and the usual four-wheeled 80 mm wheels. However, we’d recommend the four-wheeled ones for the less advanced skater, while the three-wheel ones are better for a more advanced beginner or intermediate skater. Designed in a sleek black color with red laces and accents, these skates were excellent to look at too, and great for showing off on the skating rink.

Powerslide Swell 100 3D Adapt Skates

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If the style factor is high on your list of priorities, when we’d suggest you go for the Powerslide Swell 100 3D Adapt Skates. These high-performance fitness skates boosted our training sessions, allowing us to discover the amazing world of inline skating. For one, the boot incorporated MYFIT’s patented 3DAP technology that molded perfectly around our feet to deliver superior levels of comfort and control. We loved the Trinity three-point mounting system that ensured additional stability and better power transfer. Wrapping up the features are the 100mm wheels and the ABEC 7 bearings, which ensured us a smooth and fast ride every time. 

Our Verdict!

If you’re still confused about which rollerblades to get or where to start, here’s a more specialized list of products according to their best features:

• Best 3-wheel rollerblades: Epic Engage 3-Wheel Inline Skates
• Best inline skates: ITurnGlow Adjustable Inline Skates
• Best value for money: 5th Element Panther XT Mens Recreational Inline Skates
• Best overall: LIKU Black Professional Inline Skates

How To Choose The Best Rollerblades for Beginners?

Any shoes or foot accessories that beginners buy, such as the best snowshoes for beginners or the best climbing shoes for beginners, need to be bought with care. After all, we beginners are getting accustomed to not just the shoes but also to the sport. The same goes for beginner rollerblades for adults as well. So, what did we look for in good rollerblades? Read on.

Boots and cuff height and wheel size

One of the most important features of a skate is the skate boot, which is what we slipped our feet into. Good boots for beginners came with a soft upper and a hard shell, as they provided both comfort and support. Additionally, we looked for boots with a low center of gravity for additional stability. Another thing we considered was the cuff height, and beginners are best off with boots that come with high, lightweight cuffs. They provided a ton of support while keeping the weight of the boot overall low. Usually, rollerblades for newbie skaters have high-cut plastic cuffs, but if you don’t mind spending more, go with the ones that have the pricier but better low-cut carbon cuffs too.

Wheel size

Another factor that we paid heed to was the inline skate wheel size, which should neither be too large nor too small. That’s because larger wheels provide high speeds which you might not want, while smaller wheels make it more difficult to zip down bumpy terrains. Instead, we went for wheels with a middle-of-the-road size between 80 and 84 mm. As a beginner, we were looking for comfortable and safe transport as opposed to high speeds, which is why we went with mid-to-low-profile skates with smaller wheels.

Wheel hardness/softness

A second important factor was the hardness or softness of the wheel, which is called the durometer rating. It was critical to determine if the blades were best suited for outdoor or indoor use. Wheels are measured in a range of 0 to 100, followed by the letter A, with 100 being the hardest and 0 being the softest. Harder wheels offered more speed and durability for outdoor skating, while softer wheels with their better grip were ideal for indoor rink skating. Additionally, if you’re doing rollerblading for fitness or recreation, then it’s best you ride in the hardness range of 78A to 84A. Plus, harder wheels handled power sliding well, while softer wheels offered smoother rides on most terrains.

Frame kind and cuff height

While beginner rollerblades usually featured plastic frames, they weren’t as durable, stiff, or supportive as aluminum ones. On the other hand, aluminum frames lasted longer, offered a better response, had greater strength and endurance, and were lighter too. That said, they were pretty expensive too. The best and most advanced inline skates boasted a uber-lightweight carbon frame and, of course, were priced significantly higher. Again, there were some skates that employed rocker-able frames that allowed us to raise or lower the blade’s skate’s center of gravity. However, they aren’t exactly suited for beginners.

Should you buy brakeless rollerblades?

No matter how smoothly and slowly you plan to skate, every beginner rollerblader needs something on their skates to come to a stop. The best rollerblading for beginners adults should not give you the slightest trouble in bringing them to a stop. That’s why you go for good skates with quality brakes that help you slow down or stop abruptly at best. That way, at least, you’re guaranteed to not spin out of control. So, stay away from brakeless rollerblades, which are better for later in your skating journey when you become an absolute pro.